I began working with young people on community garden projects as an undergraduate at Carnegie Mellon in Pittsburgh, PA.

Starting in 2003, I worked as an AmeriCorps reading tutor in Kingsley, MI and went on to join Teach for America where I taught elementary students in the Bronx, NY and Camden, NJ.

I received my elementary teacher certification from Rutgers University in Camden, NJ. I returned to Traverse City, MI several years ago and have been working with SEEDS, a local nonprofit, as an after school program coordinator and education specialist.

I am a former elementary (1st and 3rd grade) math teacher. And I am a former reading tutor and 2nd grade reading and language arts teacher.

I am also a certified K-5 elementary teacher.
Perfect score on NJ Praxis. (The Praxis test measures academic skills in reading, writing and mathematics. It was designed to provide comprehensive assessments that measure the skills and content knowledge of candidates entering teacher preparation programs.) Also, I have experience as a school team leader and grade dean.

I'm here to help young people gain the basic skills necessary to become critical thinkers and intelligently explore their world.